Syrian Kurdish-led SDF dissolves, integrates with Damascus government

The SDF, founded in 2015, was a primary partner for the United States in its fight against the Islamic State (IS) militant group. The announcement comes after the SDF lost most of its territory in northeast Syria to a government offensive in January, leading to the signing of the merger deal.

Abdi made the declaration during a televised speech, emphasizing the SDF's dissolution as an independent military force. The deal, described by Washington as a "historic milestone," follows a lightning offensive by government forces in January that took swathes of SDF-held territory. The Kurdish People's Protection Units, which formed the core of the SDF, have already been integrated into state forces, with their commander, Sipan Hamo, appointed deputy defense minister for the country's eastern territories in March.

The dissolution occurs as the new leadership in Damascus seeks to resolve internal strife and rebuild Syria with U.S. support, following years of civil war and isolation under former President Bashar al-Assad's rule.